Luciano Spalletti is happy with the squad at his disposal now that the summer transfer window has closed. In an interview with DAZN, the Juventus coach spoke in detail about the new signings, the change in goal and the injuries, as well as the club's goals for the new season.
Spalletti believes the current Juventus have taken a step forward compared to last season, although he admits injuries have already caused serious problems for his side.
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SPALLETTI ON WOLTEMADE: "HE REMINDS ME OF A FRIESIAN HORSE"
Spalletti had a very interesting comparison for Nick Woltemade.
"I have a Friesian horse and Nick Woltemade reminds me a lot of him. He is imposing and physically he can look a little intimidating."
But the Juventus coach does not see the German merely as a classic tall centre-forward.
"With Nick you can play with the ball at his feet. He knows how to link play horizontally, but because of his height and build he can also be used vertically. It is usually hard to find those two characteristics in the same footballer."
Spalletti believes it is precisely Woltemade's ability to get involved in the play that makes the difference.
"A two-metre-tall player is usually a finisher in the penalty area, but is less involved in linking the play. He has both qualities."
He also praised his character, adding that his cheerful nature could help him cope with the pressure of playing for Juventus.
"I told him we expect a player of his level and quality. He brings with him Premier League experience, where everything is more physically demanding, faster and more decisive."
SARR AS THURAM'S REPLACEMENT: "HE COVERS A HUGE AMOUNT OF GROUND"
Spalletti also has high expectations of Pape Matar Sarr, especially at a time when Kefren Thuram is sidelined.
"Pape Sarr breaks up the short-passing game with those 70 or 80 metre bursts. He is used to covering huge areas of the pitch, and at that speed the only other player in our squad who could do it was Thuram."
Spalletti vividly described how much ground the Senegalese can cover.
"He knows every part of the pitch because he covers all of them, from the top left to the bottom right corner. You see him in the attacking line, and then he drops all the way back to the defence."
The conclusion was brief:
"He is another thoroughbred."
"THIS IS A HIGHER-LEVEL JUVENTUS THAN LAST YEAR"
Perhaps Spalletti's most important message concerned the quality of the squad as a whole.
"Yes, this is a higher-level Juventus compared to last year."
Still, injuries have disrupted the plans.
"We have had two or three injuries that have weakened us significantly. But the management has done an important job."
Spalletti believes there is no longer such a thing as a "perfect mercato" today, and that the most important thing is to adapt to what is possible.
SPALLETTI ON THE MERCATO: "WE CANNOT PAY WHAT OTHERS ARE ASKING"
"The perfect mercato no longer exists. What matters is adapting to the market in front of you."
He then added:
"We are not in a position to pay what other clubs are asking. The fact that we completed the squad, adapted to the circumstances and brought in these two players in the final days of the transfer window means we did a good job."
EUROPA LEAGUE? SPALLETTI DOES NOT HIDE HIS AMBITIONS
Juventus also face a Europa League campaign this season, and Spalletti makes it clear that the competition is an important objective.
"The Europa League is an important objective. It is a complicated path because we will be playing matches every two or three days."
Given the congested schedule, he expects practically the entire squad to be needed.
"We have to rise to the occasion and remain competitive by using the whole squad. There will also be restrictions linked to the UEFA agreement."
And when it comes to winning trophies, Spalletti did not shy away from big ambitions:
"We have to be capable of playing international-level football if we want to dream or have the ambition of winning the competition."
SPALLETTI SATISFIED - NOW IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE PITCH
The Juventus coach's message after the close of the mercato is clear: he believes he has a better squad than last season, but now the new signings have to settle in, and the team has to respond to the challenge of competing on several fronts.
Vicario brings experience and security in goal, Woltemade a different dimension in attack, while Sarr should make up for part of what Juventus lost with Thuram's injury.
"We are satisfied. Now we have to develop all these things, give ourselves a reason every day for why we are here and put everything at the service of the team in order to reach our ultimate goals."
Source: DAZN
